The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-21
A FACTION FBUD.
An Entire County in Illinois
in a State Of Siege.
Bitter Quarrels Lead to Whole
sale Assassination.

A letter from Elizabethtown, ILL.,, says
that the notorious Belt-O Oldham feud, which
has caused the murder of not less than
dozen persons in Hardin County, is likely to
break forth again at any time. Oath-bound
organizations are known to exist among the
lawless people of the hills, and these have
demonstrated that their purpose IS assassin
alton.
The feud began with the murder Of "Doc"
Oldham by Logan Belt in 1876. The neigh
borhood divided into factions over the aHair.
At this time the "Sons Of Liberty" who
committed so many ontrages and assassina, a.
tions, were formed. While the excltement IN
regard to the organization ran high, Belt
was arraigned for the murder of DOC" Old
ham, He was tried on change of venue at
Shawncetown and sentenced to fifteen years
in the penitentiary. He served six years and
then was pardoned by Governor Oglesby.
During his incarceration ugly rumors
reached him about the conduct OF his wlte
and daughters: and when he reached home,
he was divorced from his wife and drove his
daughters from home Then his wife's other,
who had been associated with Belt in numer-
GUS crimes, went before the Grand Jury in
the fall of 1856 and gave his testimony, re-
sulting in the indictment OF Logan Belt,
Jim" Belt, Earl Sherwood, George Rat
cliff, Henry Ledbetter and Matthew Led
better for the murder OF Luke Hambrink.
On the morning of the Indictment Logan
Belt appeared in Elizabethtown with new
bride. He was promptly arrested, together
with the others indicted with him. They
were arraigned in April last, and after ten
days trial the jury returned verdict OF not
The desire for revenge in the breasts Of the
enemies of Logan Belt and his clansmen
prompted them to become assasslns. Belt
was warned of his danger and kept his wife
constantly by his side as precaution. But
on the evening of June e last, he drove along
the public hig ghway unattended, and at the
crack of rifle from clump of bushes near
the roadside, he fell from his buggy dead.
Notices were sent to the other members OF
the Belt faction to 60 or they would be killed.
"Jimn Belt was preparing to 60, but on the
evening of July 18th he was riddled
with a charge Of buckshot within q
half mile of his own house. George
faction, was with "Jim" Belt when he was
killed, and only saved his life by running
away. He has received notice to leave
Hardin County, but at last accounts he was
safely garrisoned at the home of his lrother-
in-aw, County Judge Jacob Hess.
The other members of the Belt faction have
received similar notices and some OF them
have obeyed. The friends of both sides now
ggether for protection at night. Many of them
are afraid to sleep in their houses, but,
with guns by their Sides lie beneath
the shade of bushes, alternating with
one another in sentry work. The
Governor has offered the customary rewards
for the arrest Of the assassins of Logan and
slim" Belt, but no one is brave enough to
meddle with those dangerous mysteries.
Strangers in passing through that neighbor-
hood meet with a cool reception and are
warned to 20 elsewhere.